Fabrication of Surfactant-Dispersed HiPco Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Alginate Hydrogel Composites as Cellular Products.

Fabian Alvarez-Primo,Shweta Anil Kumar,Felicia S Manciu,Binata Joddar

doi:10.3390/ijms20194802

Fabian Alvarez-Primo, Shweta Anil Kumar + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20194802

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Abstract

In this study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized ultrahigh purity single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-alginate hydrogel composites. Among the parameters of importance in the formation of an alginate-based hydrogel composite with single-walled carbon nanotubes, are their varying degrees of purity, their particulate agglomeration and their dose-dependent correlation to cell viability, all of which have an impact on the resultant composite’s efficiency and effectiveness towards cell-therapy. To promote their homogenous dispersion by preventing agglomeration of the SWCNT, three different surfactants-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-anionic), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-cationic), and Pluronic F108 (nonionic)-were utilized. After mixing of the SWCNT-surfactant with alginate, the mixtures were cross-linked using divalent calcium ions and characterized using Raman spectroscopy. Rheometric analysis showed an increase in complex viscosity, loss, and storage moduli of the SWCNT composite gels in comparison with pure alginate gels. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a well-distributed porous structure, and all SWCNT-gel composites depicted enhanced electrical conductivity with respect to alginate gels. To characterize their biocompatibility, cardiomyocytes were cultured atop these SWCNT-gels. Results comprehensively implied that Pluronic F108 was most efficient in preventing agglomeration of the SWCNTs in the alginate matrix, leading to a stable scaffold formation without posing any toxicity to the cells.

Highlights

Alginate, as a naturally occurring polymeric material, has exhibited excellent compatibility for biomedical purposes
The results showed that 1 mg/mL of multiwall CNT lead to the formation of most stable composite hydrogels in comparison with gels made with higher doses of CNTs
The proper concentration of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) for incorporation into the alginate hydrogels was determined in a previous study, demonstrating an upper range in which gelation was achieved [10]

Summary

Introduction

As a naturally occurring polymeric material, has exhibited excellent compatibility for biomedical purposes. Alginate is commonly used in the form of a hydrogel in biomedical applications, comprising wound healing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery [1]. As hydrogels require cross-linking [3,4] to improve their physicochemical properties and retain structural fidelity, the ionic gelation process can be difficult to control due to the concentration of calcium ions present at the time of reaction. This may result in nonuniform and inferior mechanical properties in the resultant alginate hydrogels, which cannot be used as tissue scaffolds due to their dissimilarities with mechanical characteristics of physiological tissues [4]. A recent study has shown that the physical properties of alginate hydrogels produced in combination with carbon nanomaterials depend on the chemical route followed during the gelation process [5,6,7]

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